The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-30

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Presidential Election Sparks Dispute

Petty Party Expediencies behind Snap Elections Scenarios

"I don't know, but then I guess I know who is trying to have the country enter an informal pre-election period. What we are interested in and absorbs all our attention and energy is the government work, to push the country forward with initiatives that we are undertaking, with the necessary reforms and the measures we are taking to the benefit of the people," stressed government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

Asked whether the government intends to hold early elections lest the country should enter a prolonged pre-election period, Antonaros said that the question has been answered and that the government is producing work day in day out. "This has been the case on the eve of the European elections and we have no intention of reducing our efforts," claimed he.

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou, on his part, said that PASOK's moves depend on what it best for the country, and added that general election have to take place in March the latest.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Related news: Government Rules out Snap Election Scenarios

News item: 24265

[02] Changes in Pension System and Labour Market

The government is considering introducing changes in the pension system and the labour market in autumn. Finance Minister Giannis Papathanasiou is working on structural and long-term measures, with a view to combating tax evasion and curtailing public spending. He heralded the separation of the Pension and Health agencies, the re-determination of heavy and arduous occupations, as well as measures against tax evasion.

"Our choice has been and still is to focus on curtailing public spending and stamping out tax evasion. However, the achievement of our goals amidst a difficult period requires tough decisions. Decisions built upon social justice and sensitivity towards the low-income earners," commented Giannis Papathanasiou.

Reactions by Opposition Parties"The structural measures the government are planning to take in the months to come is the continuation of its attack on labour rights," stressed the Greek Communist Party (KKE).

"The path of the so-called reforms is pushing the country to its financial demise. Unfortunately, we are still at the beginning of an unprecedented economic and social tragedy. The government and PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement), despite its opposition cries, are ready to take new tax measures, trim pensions and destabilize markets and labour relations," commented Panagiotis Lafazanis, spokesman of SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left).

Former Conservative Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis estimated that the deficit cannot fell below 3 percent in 2010 and forecast that Greece will ask for a new deadline."It is extremely difficult to make the deficit fall below 3 percent in 2010. We have to make effort to bring it down, yet it would not be good for the economy to push it below 3 percent. We have to ask for a deadline," said he.

News item: 24261

[03] Socialist International Meeting Wraps Up

In his statements after the end of the Socialist International meeting, Papandreou commented: "The message that emerged from the Socialist International sitting in Montenegro is that the progressive and socialist powers can change the world."

He also noted, "the socialist family is after shaping a progressive plan for the whole world. The efforts to tackle the financial crisis and climate change lie at the foundations of the plan."

Source: NET, ANA/MPA

News item: 24256

[04] Jackson's Mother Wins Guardianship of His Children

Katherine Jackson won the first round in what could become a protracted fight over an estate estimated to be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Attorney L. Londell McMillan, who said he was Katherine Jackson's legal counsel, issued a statement late on Monday saying the family was pleased with the judge's rulings. It is unclear if Jackson drew up a will before he died.

Questions about the singer's health prior to his death resurfaced Monday when Celebrity Website TMZ.com reported that Los Angeles County coroner officials returned to Jackson's rented home looking for more medication.

Four days after the singer's death from cardiac arrest, his father, Joe Jackson said the family was awaiting results of a second, private autopsy, and he expected to get details "real soon." He said funeral arrangements had not been made.

"We don't have a timeframe for that (the funeral) because I want to see how this autopsy is coming out," Jackson said after a family meeting at his home in suburban Los Angeles.

Two autopsies have been carried out on Jackson's body, one by the coroner's office and a second by a private pathologist. Speculation about what caused Jackson's heart to stop has centered on his prescription drug use, but toxicology tests are expected to take several more weeks.

The pop star died on Thursday at his rented Los Angeles home, days before kicking off a string of concerts in London that were designed to revive a career grounded by his 2005 trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.

Source: Reuters

News item: 24235

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